The Children of Castle Rock

After her mother died, Alice Mistlethwaite has become increasingly withdrawn, constantly reading and writing stories only Barney, her father, is allowed to read. As he is an actor and often away from home, Aunt Patience decides it would be best to sell their home, Cherry Grange, and send Alice to a boarding school in Scotland. Although Alice protests, she finds herself arriving at Stormy Loch, a school with very different ideas about education. 

When she receives a mysterious package from her father with strict instructions not to open it, but to take it to a remote island, Alice seizes the opportunity the Great Orienteering Challenge offers to deliver it...

An adventure story in the tradition of boarding school favourites, 'The Children of Castle Rock' is a great read with lots of action and interesting characters. Stormy Loch offers the perfect setting for the children to escape the adult presence and allows the adventure to develop in the wilds of remote Scotland- beautifully described, leaving the reader longing to visit!

Although an adventure, the story is really focused on relationships- those between children and those with parents. Alice adores her father, choosing to ignore his shadier side and the choices he makes until events force her to realise that he should act like the grown up in their relationship and put her well being above his. Fergus, an extremely clever boy who Alice has become friendly with, is struggling with his parent's acrimonious divorce and Jesse, another friend, feels over shadowed by his older brothers whose confidence and talents make him feel inadequate. There are also some interesting moments in the relationships between these very different friends as the story progresses. 

'The Children of Castle Rock' has much to recommend it for children moving on to more challenging reads. Natasha Farrant has allowed her children to swear in the story as they most likely would do, but has chosen to use asterisks to make this more palatable for adults! (It is very obvious what they would be saying!) A great story with great characters and an unusual ending- what more could you ask for!

The Children of Castle Rock    Natasha Farrant 

Faber      ISBN: 978-0571323562

Voyage of the Sparrowhawk

Having started life in an orphanage, Ben is delighted when kindly Nathan adopts him and fellow orphan, Sam. Together, they live a happy life on the Sparrowhawk, Nathan’s barge, until Sam is wounded fighting in WWI and Nathan is killed when he travels to be with him. Threatened with the prospect of having to return to the orphanage, Ben is determined to find his ‘brother’. Lotti has plenty of reasons to to be unhappy. After her loving parents were killed in an accident, her ghastly uncle and aunt have moved in to her home and are making her life misery.

Their lives collide when Lotti rescues a badly treated dog by stealing it and hides on the Sparrowhawk. As events unfold, they hatch a plan to sail across the channel to France to search for Sam and so their adventure begins…

This is classic storytelling, offering plenty of tension, lots of adventure with love, friendship and laughter mixed in. I loved every page!

Lotti and Ben are wonderful characters- so different, but balancing each other perfectly. Their friendship develops as the story progresses and they know that they can rely on one another. Their dogs are also well rounded characters, adding plenty of humour and pathos! Many other characters add to the flavour of the story as they help or hinder the children on their quest- Lotti’s uncle is up there with the most despicable baddies whilst Frank is wonderful!

The courage and determination of these children is a joy to read about, coming to a satisfying conclusion. The devastating impact of war is felt as the children travel though France, but they face each challenge together and show that family can be created in any form where love, trust and companionship are found.

‘Voyage of the Sparrowhawk’ is a stunning read, beautifully told. Extremely satisfying, it’s a must read!

Voyage of the Sparrowhawk Natasha Farrant

Faber ISBN: 978-0571348763

Strangeworlds Travel Agency

The Strangeworlds Travel Agency

Flick has recently moved to a new house in Little Wyverns with her parents and new baby brother, Freddy. Whilst exploring the village, she comes across a tiny, squashed-looking shop called The Strangeworlds Travel Agency. She finds herself invited to become a member of The Strangeworlds Society and is amazed to discover that each of the suitcases on display in the shop leads to another world. With Jonathan Mercator, Head Custodian, Flick is able to use the cases to explore the multiverse. But everything is not quite as it seems…

I loved this book so much! The idea of travelling through suitcases to lots of different worlds is so appealing and the story is fresh and exciting! Lapinski’s world building is second to none and each location fizzes with life and detail. There is much still to learn about this multiverse and its inhabitants and hopefully, there will be more adventures for Flick as she explores different worlds and Jonathan continues his search for his father.

Flick and Jonathan are wonderful characters- very different, but each well rounded. Jonathan neglects to tell Flick the whole truth, leading to trouble, but friendship wins through in the end and these two make a team to be reckoned with. Nicc is another appealing character, resilient and daring.

The Strangeworlds Travel Agency is an excellent read, full of magic and adventure. This is a must read to share with my class as soon as I can. Top marks for this one!

The Strangeworlds Travel Agency: The Edge of the Ocean

When an urgent summons arrives from the world of The Break, Flick and Jonathan leap into action- and the right suitcase- and go to offer assistance. Pirate Queen Nife, her crew and all the other people and creatures who live there are in grave danger as their world is shrinking. Somehow, Jonathan and Flick must find a way to sail ships and squeeze giant mer-people through a suitcase to save them- before it’s too late.

Here at JAB HQ, we adored the first book in this series so much and have thoroughly enjoyed introducing our classes to this amazing world and its characters. ‘The Edge of the World’ is no disappointment, being every bit as exciting and magical as the first.

Flick is now a fully-fledged Strangeworlds Travel Agency member and comes into her own in this adventure, taking the lead as Jonathan battles with his emotions after some news about his father. Her initial distrust and jealousy of Avery, Jonathan’s cousin, who joins them on this adventure, quickly develops beyond bickering and together, the three make a formidable team. Jonathan’s duel with Captain Burnish is wonderful, adding humour as well as action.

A sense of impending danger is maintained throughout this story, keeping a tight feeling of suspense and tension. It is not clear whether they will be able to save all the inhabitants of this world and Flick experiences real personal conflict about the possibility of leaving some behind. It is wonderful to see her triumph. The importance of friendship, family and support is woven through the story, but is so poignant when Flick needs it most.

The concept of the travel agency and its suitcases is an absolute gift to teachers looking to inspire children to write. It offers the perfect framework for a voyage and return story where the most magical and creative worlds can be invented while writing additional adventures. Children (and adults!) love these stories and the worlds they inhabit!

This second visit to The Strangeworlds Travel Agency, ‘The Edge of the Ocean’, is every bit as enjoyable as the first, offering a compelling, exciting adventure. Can’t wait for the next one!

You can read my review of ‘The Secrets of the Stormforest’ in the main reviews section.